Forget Interstellar, These 10 Anime Are Why Hollywood Sci-Fi Looks Boring

Of course, you have probably heard of anime like Steins;Gate, Cowboy Bebop and Parasyte: The Maxim (Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu). They all belong to the science fiction genre, and their takes on it are strikingly different. That said, none of them are out of the ordinary. Want to see sci-fi treated in a very unusual way? Here are 10 series where the genre is uniquely done!

1. Made in Abyss (2017)

Made in Abyss is loved by many fans for a reason. It combines a lot of things: despite the setting being very technologically advanced, the world is closer to that of a fantasy series. The feeling of magic, adventure and exploration oozes from the series, and the gorgeous landscapes will leave you stunned. However, the series also has very dark, gruesome and outright gory moments that keep the viewers on the tips of their toes.

2. Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet (2013)

Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet (Suisei no Gargantia) throws its protagonist from a grandiose space battle onto Earth, which was supposed to be abandoned a long time ago. The planet is mostly covered by water, and the remnants of humanity fight for control while trying to survive. Ledo, the protagonist, helps his rescuers to fend off pirates while also trying to adjust to a new life in a far less developed society.

3. Planetes (2003)

Written by the author of Vinland Saga, Planetes is what is often called a "hard sci-fi". Every part of the setting is researched and accounted for, and the anime provides a very realistic take on life within a space station.

The premise of space garbage collectors might seem a little silly, but the anime does its best job to make you invested in it. Besides, a lot of character drama is surprisingly realistic and easy to relate to in the best possible way.

4. Cop Craft (2019)

Cop Craft is essentially what would happen if our world met a fantasy world — and they intertwined in a somewhat realistic way. The anime is an unusual example of coexistence of science and magic, where neither seems to prevail. Bordering between science fiction and fantasy, it follows a duo of policemen trying to keep up order in a chaotic city while uncovering a larger mystery.

5. Dr. Stone (2019)

The idea of reconstructing society and technology from scratch isn't new, but we just don't see it in anime. Thankfully, Senkuu, the protagonist of Dr. Stone, is here to save the day — and he will lead the human civilization to prosperity once again.

The anime more or less follows a battle shounen structure, except action is supplementary. Most of the tension comes from conflicts between the characters and how they're solved in smart ways. The anime gives the viewers hope — maybe humanity is actually good — and is also bound to teach them a thing or two.

6. Kemurikusa

Kemurikusa is a very unusual post-apocalyptic series. Set in a barren world, it follows a group of girls trying to fight off dangerous insects as they try to search for sources of water — at least until they meet a mysterious boy. After that, the characters embark on a journey to try and figure out the mystery behind the said world. The anime is made by Tatsuki, the original creator of Kemono Friends, who has a cult following among otaku.

7. Den-noh Coil (2007)

Den-noh Coil is somewhat prophetic. While augmented reality projects already existed in 2007, a lot of things mentioned in Den-noh Coil ended up being real many years later.

The anime follows a group of children who try to find the truth behind mysterious viruses and aberrations in the virtual world. The ideas are quite unique, as not many anime deal with the intersection of virtual and real worlds while also keeping things believable.

8. Clockwork Planet (2017)

Clockwork Planet is an example of a clockpunk setting in anime. Basically, it means it's like steampunk, but instead of everything being powered by steam, everything is powered by clock-like mechanisms.

What makes it so unique? Well, for starters, the fact that it is the only example of that setting in anime. The series also provides some unusual takes on the coexistence of humans and androids. It's also written by the same person who wrote No Game No Life, which means there will be a lot of plot twists.

9. Sakugan (2021)

Despite initially looking like just a fun mecha adventure for a duo of father and daughter, Sakugan is much more than that. The setting of people living in underground cities is not especially unique by itself, but the implications this kind of life has on society are not explored very often.

Sakugan deals with social issues, but doesn't feel preachy or especially dark. At its core, it's still an easily watchable adventure series, which makes it so good.

10. Gasaraki (1998)

What happens if you combine the psychological drama of a mecha series clearly inspired by Neon Genesis Evangelion with a nuanced take on the reality of war? The answer is: you get Gasaraki. This anime does a lot of things, and among mecha otaku, it is particularly famous for its meticulous attention to detail: it has perhaps the most realistic mechs in the entire medium.